Greece

A top-level meeting between sport’s two most powerful figures has resulted in the strengthening of the agreement on the special legal status that sport should be afforded in European legislation.

Hein Verbruggen, the president of the International Cycling Union, has been appointed as the official co-ordinator for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is seriously examining the Internet as a broadcasting medium, emphasizing the possibility of streaming video for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have confirmed their intention to bid for the right to host the 2008 European Championships.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is seriously examining the internet as a broadcasting medium for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, emphasising the possibility of streaming video for the event.

The International Olympic Committee has demanded Greece come up with contingency plans for the construction of Olympic venues.

US broadcaster NBC is aiming to broadcast some events at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games on Spanish-language TV stations owned by its recent acquisition Telemundo.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, empowered by his re-election as socialist party leader, has played musical chairs with top ministers in a reshuffle partly aimed at getting the 2004 Olympics on track.

The organising committee of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games has confirmed the dates for the Paralympic Games.

A further eight deals have been struck by the Athens 2004 Olympic Organising Committee for officially licensed products.

Senior organisers from Sydney 2000, widely recognised as the best games ever, look set to be drafted in to assist with future events after the secretary general of the Australian Olympic Committee moved to Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Greek cosmetics group Sarantis has obtained the right to market mens and womens perfumes with the Athens 2004 Olympics emblems.

English Premier league club Sunderland and South America's Uruguay Montevideo have settled their dispute over former striker Milton Nunez, the High Court was told.

The Athens 2004 Games has chosen the Greek Post Office (ELTA) as a national sponsor in a deal worth 4.0 billion drachmas ($10.7 million, B

Australian swimming sensation Ian Thorpe has signed a triple-header of sponsorship deals set to net him A$10m ($5m/B

England's Football Association has complained to FIFA over the Greek FA's distribution of their ticket allocation for Saturday's World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford in Manchester.

The England football team's thrilling 2-2 draw with Greece last Saturday drew a peak audience of 11.8 million for host terrestrial broadcaster BBC, according to unofficial overnight ratings.

The following are pen pictures of the five candidates seeking to take over from Juan Antonio Samaranch when he retires after 21 years as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday.